Japanese potters – N

Nindosai 任土斎

?-1763maletamamizu pottery The third generation of Tamamizu ware, Nindosai, was known by the name Yahei and also by the art name Katoku. His father was the first generation Yahei, Ichigen (died in 1723), and his brother was the second generation Yahei, Ikku (died in 1720). He took over after his brother passed away at an early age. Like his father and brother, he produced tea bowls in the styles of Chojiro and Koetsu.As the eighth generation of Raku ware potters, Nindosai was proud of his lineage, but he remained unmarried and childless throughout his life, causing the Tamamizu ware bloodline (more…)

Nishioka Yu 西岡悠

1977-malemino potteryBorn in Chiba Prefecture.Graduated from Aichi Prefectural College of Ceramic Technology in 2011.In the same year, he studied under Suzuki Goro.In 2014, he started his own business in Ena City, Gifu Prefecture.Through his experience in making various things such as furniture and musical instruments, he was attracted to the depth of ceramics and now pursues the charm of Mino ware, especially focusing on the expression of the texture of Kizeto, which is said to be highly difficult to produce. He produces works that take advantage of the diverse characteristics of Mino clay, which he mines himself. (more…)

Nanba Koyo 難波好陽

1902-malebizen potteryold-bizen style, excellent in both wheel and workmanship.Namba Shosaku ( b. 1937 ) is the eldest son,Namba Shusaku (b. 1942), his fourth son. Both are Bizen artists. (more…)

Matsuo Yuko 松尾優子

1978-femalehagi potteryBorn in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture1999 Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Arita Ceramic College, Saga Prefecture2002 Awarded the Nikkan Kogyo Prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics ExhibitionSelected 8 times for Women’s Ceramic Art Exhibition2003 Selected 6 times at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition2004 Awarded Mr. T Prize at the Women’s Ceramic Art Exhibition.2005 Awarded Nikkei Newspaper Prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Art Exhibition.Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan2009 Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, JapanSelected, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, 2010Selected, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, JapanSelected, Yamaguchi Prefectural Fine Arts Exhibition, Yamaguchi, Japan, 2nd Prize2011 Awarded Nikkan Kogyo Prize, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic (more…)

Nishi Koichi 西功一

1948-male1982 Selected for the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition (7 times)1983 Selected for the Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition (5 times)1984 First solo exhibition at Gallery “Moose” in Seki-shi1984 First solo exhibition at Gallery “Moose” in Seki-shi, Seki, Japan; subsequent solo exhibitions at “Kohodo” in Gifu City, Nagoya Mitsukoshi, Takasaki Takashimaya, and other venues1986 Selected for “Mino 86” at the International Ceramics Exhibition (four consecutive times)1989 His works were collected by the Tajimi City Mino Ceramic Museum, Tajimi, Japan1993: Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu1994 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (14 times in total)1999 Appeared on NHK (more…)

Nagae Sokichi 9th 九代 長江惣吉

1963-maleBorn in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to a family that was a potter in the Edo period and a potter of Japanese tableware since the Meiji period, he began to reproduce yohen (pottery that changes color when fired) in 1995, following the research of his father, Nagae Sokichi VIII. In 1995, he took over the research of his father, Nagae Sokichi VIII, and started to reproduce Yohhen ware. He also published a paper on “Research on the reproduction of Yohhen’s glaze” at the International Conference of Science and Technology of Ceramics and Porcelain, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and others. In addition (more…)

Nakazato Mouemon 十五代 中里茂右衛門

1943-malemikawauchi porcelain Born in Arita, Saga PrefectureBorn as the second son of Nakazato Mouemon, the 14th head of “Mouemon Kiln”, a famous Hirado pottery family.After graduating from junior high school, he studied under his father’s predecessor and began to pursue a full-fledged career as a ceramic artist.Since then, he has devoted himself to pottery as a potter. He did not seek to exhibit his works at public exhibitions, and his works are now highly regarded by connoisseurs as “fantastic works”.1972 Succeeded the name of his predecessor and became the 15th Shigeemon Nakazato.1991 Dedicated a work to Meiji Shrine.1995 Dedicated a (more…)

Norimatsu Miho 乗松美歩

1987-femaleBorn as the eldest daughter of grandfather Norimatsu Toshiyuki and father Norimatsu Kenko2009 Graduated from Okayama University of Commerce2010 Completed Bizen Ceramic Art Center2013 Fires first kiln2014 Kurashiki-Toukeido main store, first solo exhibition2015 Kurashiki-Toukeido main store, solo exhibition2015 Selected for Okayama Prefecture Art Exhibition2016 Selected for the Chugoku Branch Exhibition of Japan Traditional Crafts (twice since then)Member of the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Traditional Crafts AssociationMember of BIGEIKAI (more…)

Nobuhara Katsushi 延原勝志

1961-malebizen potteryBorn in Ibe, Bizen City1981 Graduated from Saga Art College (now Saga University of Arts), Department of CeramicsStudied under Kondo Jun, second son of Kondo Yuzo.1985 Returned to his hometown and studied under Yoshimoto Shuho1987 Became independent and opened his first kiln1989 Became a member of the Bizen Pottery Society and the Chugoku Branch of the Japan Craftsmen’s Association2000 Selected for the International Exchange Program at Tsinghua University, China2007 Special Lecture at Myongji University, Korea2011 Designated as a traditional Bizen ware craftsman by the national government2012 Special Prize, Okayama Prefectural Exhibition (and many other awards) (more…)

Nanba Kazuo 難波和夫

1972-malebizen potteryBorn as the third son of Namba Masami in Ibe, Bizen City1996 Graduated from the Ceramic Art Center1996 Graduated from the Ceramic Art Center of Bizen City2006 Became independent after 10 years of making ceramics. (more…)

Nakazato Tsutomu 中里月度務

1967-malemikawachi potteryBorn in Mikawachi-cho, Sasebo, Nagasaki1988Graduated from Saga Prefectural Arita Ceramic College1991Studied under Hirado Shozan kiln. Began to hold the brush for producing Hirado Sometsuke ware such as Karakoe and Kusabana patterns.2000Held a solo exhibition at the Nihombashi Takashimaya Department Store.2003Won a prize at the Nagasaki Ceramics Exhibition for a set of goldfish painted underglaze blue and white flat lids.Won first prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition for “Nagarezui Naburi Bowl”. (more…)

Nakazato Taiyo 中里太陽

1977-malemikawachi porcelainBorn in Mikawachi-cho, Sasebo, Nagasaki1994Grand Prize, Mikawachi Ware Ceramic Works Exhibition1995Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Saga Prefectural Arita Technical High School1997Graduated from the Department of Social Welfare, Kyoei Gakuen Junior College (Bachelor of Social Work)1999Studied abroad in the U.S.2000Trained in ceramics in the Netherlands (5 months)2006Became the eighteenth generation of the Kosho Dan’emon Kiln in HiradoReceived a honorable mention at the Nagasaki Ceramics Exhibition.2003Nagasaki Ceramic Exhibition, Award for Encouragement of Traditional Production2012Jury Prize, Nagasaki Ceramic Exhibition2007Chairman of the Mikawachi Porcelain Hamazen Festival Executive CommitteeDedicated to the Kingdom of the Netherlands (more…)

Nakamura Seigo 中村清吾

1975-malearita porcelainBorn as the grandson of Nakamura Seiroku, the holder of Saga Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property, ceramic white porcelain1998After graduating from Kyushu University, apprenticed at Seiroku Kiln2004Became a member of the Arita Ceramic Association2005Awarded as a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association for his achievements in being selected for four consecutive years at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.2007Exhibited at the West Japan Ceramic Art ExhibitionExhibited at the Kyushu National Museum2008Awarded the Japan Crafts Association Prize at the New Ceramic Works Exhibition.2010Saga Bank Cultural Foundation Newcomer Award (more…)

Nakao Hidezumi 中尾英純

1956-malearita porcelainBorn in Arita Town1979Underwent training at the Saga Ceramics Research Institute1985Awarded second prize in the second section of the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition1988Awarded the Encouragement Prize at the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.Selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.1989Silver Prize, Western Japan Craft Exhibition, Asahi Newspaper, Japan.Second Prize, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition, JapanMinister of International Trade and Industry Award, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.1990Issuikai Prize2000Exhibited at the Saga Ceramic Art Exhibition at the British Museum, England.2001Awarded the Newcomer’s Prize of the Saga Bank Cultural Foundation.2003Awarded the Encouragement Prize at the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.Awarded the Encouragement (more…)

Nakamura Emiko 中村ゑ美こ

1947-femaleBorn in Arita, Saga Prefecture, the eldest daughter of Nakamura Seiroku.1968 Joined Arita Bussan Co., Ltd. and studied dyeing under Maeda Taisho and Saito Ben2006 First prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts ExhibitionHeld the Seiroku Kiln 3rd generation Nakamura Seiroku, Emiko, and Seigo Exhibition at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo in 2008.2011 Recognized as a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association2014 Exhibited and collected by the Museum of Ceramic Art, Ibaraki, Contemporary Ceramic Art “Phenomenon (more…)

Nakao Ryuzumi 中尾龍純

1953-malearita porcelainBorn in Arita-cho, Saga Prefecture1974 Studied the potter’s wheel under Inoue Manji, a “Living National Treasure” at the Ceramic Research Institute1976 Studied painting under Ide Manta1979 Awarded a prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition for the first time (since then, he has been selected and awarded 19 times)1980 Awarded a prize at the Seibu Kogei Exhibition for the first time (since then, he has been selected and awarded prizes 14 times)1981 Awarded a prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition for the first time (since then, selected and awarded 9 times)1982 Selected for the first time at the Issuikai (more…)

Nakao Tetsuaki 中尾哲彰

1952-maleDeveloped the galaxy glaze. He won many awards in Europe and the Middle East, including Spain, Holland, France, Turkey, and Italy, and gained high acclaim abroad. The name “Tetsuaki Nakao” is inscribed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.Born in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture1981 Joined the Kyushu Association of Contemporary Craft Artists of Japan1982 Exhibited for the first time at Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition)1992 Acquired by the Laboratory of the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts, Beijing, China; acquired by the Nansong Guanwu Museum, Hangzhou, China1994 Collection of Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colorado2003 Grand Prix “Prix de l’Édition” at (more…)

Nakao Jun 中尾純

1977-malearita porcalainBorn in Arita Town, 1977. After graduating from Saga Prefectural Arita Ceramic College, he studied pottery for 7 years and 8 months under “Living National Treasure” Inoue Manji, and began to make pottery at his family’s pottery studio, Nakasen-gama.2009He was selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.Selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.2015Awarded the Asahi Newspaper Grand Prize at the Western Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition2016Won the Saga Prefecture Governor’s Prize at the Arita International Ceramics Exhibition2020Newcomer’s Prize, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition2022Winner of the Arita Mayor’s Prize at the Arita International Ceramics (more…)

Nakashizu Gyokuzan 3rd 三代 中静玉山

1944-malemumyoi potteryReal name is Nakashizu Katsuaki. Born in Sado-gun, Niigata Prefecture (now Sado City)Under the advice of the then county mayor of Fukai, Nakashizu Gyokuzan the first made a tour of the island and its environs in 1905 and founded the company at his current location.He produces elegant and lustrous ceramics made of Mumyoi clay, which is produced near the gold and silver veins of the Sado Gold and Silver Mine, and varies from vermilion mud, purple mud, vermilion and purple mud, and iron mud according to the degree of heat.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 (more…)

Nakamura Shinichiro 中村真一郎

1952-malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen City. Second son of Bizen Pottery artist Nakamura Kanzan. Studied under Fujiwara Ken, an intangible cultural asset of Okayama Prefecture, and then under his uncle Nakamura Rokuro. Built his own kiln in 1976 and became independent. He has won many prizes at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and other exhibitions. (more…)